By NAN

Mr Timothy Nwachukwu, a good governance advocate, has described the second Niger bridge in Anambra as a legacy and unifying project that will open up the South East region.

Nwanchukwu, a Communication Aide to Alhaji Gambo Manzo, Special Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari in the office of the Vice President, said this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

He said the project which had gulped more than N400 billion and scheduled for inauguration by President Buhari in October, had provided job opportunities for over 5,500 Nigerians. This, he said comprised more than 1,500 staff and 4,000 indirect employments, including vendors, suppliers and others. He lauded President Buhari for making the second Niger bridge project a reality which he said was officially started in 2014 by the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration.

Nwanchukwu added that Buhari breathed life to the project which according to him was used by successive administrations as a campaign tool.

He expressed optimism that the 1.6km long bridge handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd. to connect Anambra and Delta would reduce the gridlock and strain on the first Niger Bridge.

He urged the people of South-East to remain resolute in their support to President Buhari, adding that the southern rail gauge which would link the zone to the northern part the country would commence soon.